He might not be the biggest star in “Bad Man.” But Smith Lake Jake is definitely the furriest.
The beloved Alabama critter, known for his weather predictions on Groundhog Day, can be seen in the new action movie alongside Seann William Scott of “American Pie” fame.
“Bad Man” was released to video and streaming services on Sept. 5, after a world premiere at the 2025 Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham.
Smith Lake Jake pops up in a scene about 15 minutes into the film, wearing a houndstooth hat and holding his own with actors Scott, Johnny Simmons and Chance Perdomo.
The groundhog plays “Colt Lake Jake” in the movie, which was filmed in Alabama in December 2023 and January 2024.
Locations in the greater Birmingham area included Helena, Adamsville and Graysville, all standing in for the fictional town of Colt Lake, Tenneseee. (Graysville is Smith Lake Jake’s hometown, where he lives with human companion Ginger Whitworth.)
Jake’s fans in Alabama might not be surprised to see a charismatic groundhog dominate the screen for a few seconds in a feature film. For other viewers, though, his presence might be a revelation.
Jake actually does very little in the movie, sitting on a tufted chair and growling slightly at one point. But he makes an indelible impression nevertheless.
“That is someone in whose presence you are unworthy to be,” an unidentified actor tells Scott’s character, a loose-cannon cop named Bobby Gaines. “That is Colt Lake Jake. He is a local celebrity, and you will respect him.”
This might lead you to believe Jake plays an important role in the storyline, popping up again during a key moment in the film. Alas, the groundhog disappears from the action after that one scene, never to be seen again.
“Bad Man” actually is a buddy movie focusing on characters played by Scott and Simmons, with an assist from Perdomo.
Scott portrays a volatile lawman who arrives in Colt Lake, ready to solve a crime and stir up trouble. His character, Gaines, is investigating a murder in the small Southern town, which is plagued by meth dealers and its own Dixie Mafia.
Gaines immediately butts heads with a strait-laced local deputy, Sam Evans (Montgomery native Simmons), and his cheerfully bumbling sidekick, D.J. (Perdomo).
Perdomo, known for his work in the Amazon series “Gen V,” died in March 2024 at age 27 after a motorcycle accident. “Bad Man” is said to be his final film.
Despite their differences in “Bad Man,” the three cops join forces for an investigation into the murder, and that’s how they encounter Jake. The critter lives with a Colt Lake resident who provides crucial intel early in the case, and Jake was definitely ready for his closeup.
The cast also includes Rob Riggle of “The Hangover” and “21 Jump Street” and Marcelle LeBlanc, an actress from Birmingham who starred in the 2022 TV movie “A Waltons Thanksgiving.”
“Bad Man,” an action/comedy, was directed and co-written by Michael Dilberti. Currently, the movie has a 96% positive score on the Popcornmeter for Rotten Tomatoes, with more than 100 ratings from audience members.
Watch the trailer for “Bad Man” in the video below. The movie is available on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and other streaming services.
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